Black

This poem comes off funny more times than not.
It can be funny but it's really a very serious piece about an issue that has been a chip on my shoulder since I was a relatively young child. It's sort my way of venting about being a young African American person who has/wants nothing to do with her stereotype and my frustration with those who oppose the racism and assumptions thrown at them and yet continue everyday to be the proof of the stereotype they've been stamped with.

Because I'm Black. Of course, fried chicken, Is a part of my essential nutrients Knowing how to "twerk" Is clearly In my blood Because I'm Black I may very well know how to speak with some English clarity on the street But the second I get home, the oh so natural Ebonics roll off my tongue. Like beads of sweat Off the face of the southern slave And SURELY Because I am Black, I must jump not one, but two ropes Or else how would I be trained to tackle the fences that Re-re and them Be jumpin Not just coincidence It's somethin something making people believe that one color means another That my skin tone is an attitude Talkin bout some "culture!" What culture?! Not Kenyan. Not Haitian, Algerian or Nigerian Not Jamaican or Native Australian What culture? brown culture. Brown culture? Nope. Black culture. Because I am Black I was branded at birth Thanks to Shay-shay, De'quan and all of they cousins who did not heed their grandmother's warnings on lack of education She knew. But they did not listen. And so I pay up. Because I'm Black.

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